Communication method and apparatus, and electronic device for communications

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a communication method and apparatus, and an electronic device. The method integrates an email and an IM in the same user interface and includes obtaining an email opening instruction sent by a client, and displaying, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page; 
     obtaining an IM opening instruction sent by the client, the IM opening instruction including identification information of at least one contact in the email; and searching for the identification information in a preset information database of the server, if the identification information is found, obtaining communication information according to the identification information, generating, according to the communication information, at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and displaying the at least one IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/659,262, 62/659,268, 62/659,274, 62/659,279, 62/659,285, 62/659,289, 62/659,292, and 62/659,297, all filed Apr. 18, 2018, which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

This application also claims priority to and the benefit of, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), Chinese Patent Application Nos. 201810610187.5, 201810608659.3, 201810608671.4, 201810611056.9, 201810611025.3, 201810608658.9, and 201810610189.4, all filed Jun. 13, 2018, in the State Intellectual Property Office of P.R. China, which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication method and apparatus, and an electronic device integrating email and instant messaging (IM) functions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the invention. The subject matter discussed in the background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

Presently, email and instant messaging (IM) have become ever sophisticated and widely used among professionals, outperforming short message service (SMS), telephone and other traditional means of communication. In common practice, email is preferred in a formal or business setting or for information of importance, whereas IM is popular in informal or spontaneous communications of personal nature. Conventionally, email and IM are functions independent with each other and used on separate interfaces. However, situations exist in which people have needs to use email and IM intermittently or simultaneously. For example, while writing or reading an email that is rather official with lengthy conventional, formulaic or courteous jargons or has large or difficult attachments, a user would have an urge to quickly convey or locate what is key or important or to offer or receive directions, and handy IM chatting with the recipient or sender on the same subject and interface would then be quite convenient. There are also instances in which users would prefer to reply an email quickly with IM, were it ready, just a word or two, as email reply generally takes more steps. Apparently there is a usage market for an email application integrated with an IM function.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the forgoing, this invention provides a communication method and apparatus, and an electronic device, capable of integrating email and instant messaging (IM) functions in a same user interface, thereby improving the convenience of use.

In one aspect, the invention related to a communication method, applied to a server that manages emails and realizes IM. The method includes obtaining an email opening instruction sent by a client, and displaying, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page; and obtaining an IM opening instruction sent by the client, the IM opening instruction including identification information of at least one contact in the email; and searching for the identification information in a preset information database of the server, if the identification information is found, obtaining communication information corresponding to the at least one contact according to the identification information, generating, according to the communication information, at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and displaying the at least one IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.

In one embodiment, the method further includes when the at least one IM chat window is displayed in the email interface displayed on the client, sending contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window for display. In one embodiment, the step of sending contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window includes obtaining a specified content sending instruction sent by the client; finding a specified content from the email according to the specified content sending instruction; and sending the specified content into the at least one IM chat window for display.

In one embodiment, the method further includes obtaining a chatting content in the at least one IM chat window; and associatively storing the chatting content and the email.

In one embodiment, the step of displaying the at least one IM chat window in the email interface displayed on the client includes, if there is one IM chat window, floating the IM chat window at the bottom of the email interface; and if there are multiple IM chat windows, floating the various IM chat windows at the bottom of the email interface in a time sequence of opening.

In another aspect, the invention provides a communication method, applied to a server capable of managing an email and realizing IM. The method includes obtaining an IM opening instruction sent by a client, and displaying, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window on the client; and obtaining an email opening instruction sent by the client, displaying, according to the email opening instruction, an email corresponding to a contact in the IM chat window on the client in the form of a page, and moving the IM chat window to the bottom of the page.

In yet another aspect, the invention also provides a communication apparatus, applied to a server capable of managing an email and realizing IM. The apparatus includes an email acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an email opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page; and an IM acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an IM opening instruction sent by the client, the IM opening instruction including identification information of at least one contact in the email; and search for the identification information in a preset information database of the social network, if the identification information is found, obtain communication information corresponding to the at least one contact according to the identification information, generate, according to the communication information, at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and display the at least one IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a mail content sending module, configured to send, when the at least one IM chat window is displayed in the email interface displayed on the client, contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window for display; and an associative storage module, configured to obtain a chatting content in the at least one IM chat window, and associatively store the chatting content and the email.

In a further aspect, the invention also provides a communication apparatus, applied to a server capable of managing an email and realizing IM. The apparatus includes a first acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an IM opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window on the client; and a second acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an email opening instruction sent by the client, display, according to the email opening instruction, an email corresponding to a contact in the IM chat window on the client in the form of a page, and move the IM chat window to the bottom of the page.

In one aspect, the invention also provides an electronic device for integrated email and IM communications. The electronic device includes at least one memory, at least one processor, a network module, and a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus is stored in the at least one memory. The at least one memory, the at least one processor and the network module are electrically coupled to each other directly or indirectly, so as to implement data transmission or interaction for the integrated email and IM communications

In one embodiment, the network module is configured to establish a communication connection between the electronic device and other communication terminal devices via a network, so as to realize transmitting and receiving operations for network signals and data.

In one embodiment, the at least one memory comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction codes, wherein the instruction codes, when executed by the at least one processor, control the electronic device to perform the integrated email and IM communications.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction codes. The instruction codes, when executed by one or more processors, control the electronic device 10 to perform the following communication methods.

According to the communication method and apparatus and the electronic device provided in the embodiments of the invention, an email and an IM chat window can be integrated, the corresponding IM chat window can be directly opened through the email, the corresponding email may also be opened through the IM chat window, and the email and the IM chat window can be displayed in the same user interface, thereby improving the convenience of use.

In one embodiment, when the IM chat window is opened in an email interface, the content of the email can be sent to the IM chat window, thereby improving the convenience of messaging and communication.

In one embodiment, by associatively storing a chatting content in the IM chat window and the corresponding email, the convenience of information processing can be improved.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the invention more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for the embodiments. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings in the following description show only some embodiments of the invention, and should not be regarded as limitations to the scope accordingly. A person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 shows schematically an electronic device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows schematically a system integrating email and instant messaging (IM) function on a social network system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows schematically a flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows schematically a flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows schematically a communication apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows schematically a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Listing of reference numerals: 10, electronic device; 11, memory; 12, processor; 13, network module; 20, communication apparatus; 21, email acquiring and displaying module; 22, IM acquiring and display module; 23, mail content sending module; 24, associative storage module; 31, first acquiring and displaying module; 32, second acquiring and displaying module; 40, social network platform; 41, first client; and 42, second client.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting and/or capital letters has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term are the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted and/or in capital letters. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the invention.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on the “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of lower and upper, depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprise(s)” and/or “comprising,” or “include(s)” and/or “including” or “has (have)” and/or “having” or “contain(s)” and/or “containing” when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the invention, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical OR. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the term “module” may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); an electronic circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip. The term module may include memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor.

The term “code”, as used herein, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and/or objects. The term shared, as used above, means that some or all code from multiple modules may be executed using a single (shared) processor. In addition, some or all code from multiple modules may be stored by a single (shared) memory. The term group, as used above, means that some or all code from a single module may be executed using a group of processors. In addition, some or all code from a single module may be stored using a group of memories.

The terms “chip” or “computer chip”, as used herein, generally refer to a hardware electronic component, and may refer to or include a small electronic circuit unit, also known as an integrated circuit (IC), or a combination of electronic circuits or ICs.

As used herein, the term “server” generally refers to a system (e.g., a social network server) that responds to requests across a computer network to provide, or help to provide, network services, e.g., network data storage and database management. A server may also include one or more processors to execute computer programs in parallel. An implementation of the server may include software and suitable computer hardware. A server may run on a computing device or a network computer. In some cases, a computer may provide several services and have multiple servers running.

The terms “client” or “client terminal”, or “terminal”, as used herein, may refer to any appropriate user terminal with certain computing capabilities, e.g., a personal computer (PC), a work station computer, a hand-held computing device (e.g., a tablet), a mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile phone or a smart phone), or any other user-side computing devices.

The invention in one aspect relates to methods, apparatuses, and/or electronic devices for communication on a social networking system. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that, unless otherwise indicated, certain computer systems and/or components thereof may be implemented in, but not limited to, the forms of software, firmware or hardware components, or a combination thereof.

The apparatuses, systems, and/or methods may be implemented by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer programs may also include stored data. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory tangible computer readable medium are nonvolatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

The apparatuses, systems, and/or methods may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

The description below is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention includes particular examples, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an electronic device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 10 may be a server having the functions of storing, transmitting and processing data. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 includes, but is not limited to, a memory 11, a processor 12, a network module 13, and a communication apparatus 20.

The memory 11, the processor 12 and the network module 13 are electrically coupled to each other directly or indirectly, so as to implement data transmission or interaction. For example, these elements may be electrically connected through one or more communication buses or signal lines. In one embodiment, the communication apparatus 20 is stored in the memory 11. The communication apparatus 20 includes at least one software function module capable of being stored in the memory 11 in the form of software or firmware. The processor 12 performs, by executing software programs, codes, and modules such as the communication apparatus 20, stored in the memory 11, various function applications and data processing to implement a communication method of the invention.

The memory 11 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium including, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electric erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like.

The memory 11 is configured to store programs or codes, which are executed by the processor 12 once receiving an execution instruction.

The processor 12 may be an integrated circuit chip having a data processing capability. The foregoing processor 12 may be a universal processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), and the like. Various methods, steps and logical blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the invention may be implemented or performed by the processor 12. The universal processor may be a microprocessor, any of conventional processors, or the like.

The network module 13 is configured to establish a communication connection between the electronic device 10 and other communication terminal devices via a network, so as to realize transmitting and receiving operations for network signals and data. The foregoing network signal may include a wireless signal or a cable signal.

It should be understood that the structure shown in FIG. 1 is only for the purpose of illustration. The electronic device 10 may also include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 1, or have configurations different from that shown in FIG. 1. The components shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented by using hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction codes. The instruction codes, when executed by one or more processors, control the electronic device 10 to perform the following communication methods.

In yet another aspect, the invention also relates to a communication method for integration of email and IM such that a user is able to start IM communication with a recipient or sender of an email message on the email interface while the user is writing or reading the message. In certain embodiments, a list of IM contacts is placed side by side with the email interface, and a number of IM chat windows can be opened that overlap the email interface. In another embodiment, on the email writing or reading interface, names or addresses in the recipient fields, i.e., “recipients”, “cc”, “bcc”, or the sender field show indications if they are users of the social network, and where the indications are positive they can be clicked or touched to open IM sessions with the recipient(s) or sender of the present email message. The opened IM sessions may have interfaces either separate from that of the email or overlapping, preferably floating on, the email interface. Each IM session can be one-to-one or in a group chat. The contents of the IM sessions opened from the recipient or sender field of an email message may be stored, retrieved and/or deleted together with the content of the email message.

In certain embodiment, the communication method is applied to a server. In one embodiment, the server is a social network platform. Both email and IM functions are provided on the social network, whereas on the email interface a list of IM contacts in the social network is presented with hyperlinks to start or open a number of IM sessions with the contacts, and the IM sessions have interfaces that overlap, preferably float on, the email interface. Each IM session can be one-to-one or in a group chat. Accordingly, the social network platform can manage emails and realize IM.

In certain embodiments, the social network platform is operably in communication with multiple clients. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the social network platform 40 is operably in communication with a first client 41 and a second client 42 through the Internet. The first client 41 and the second client 42 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer device, a handheld mobile device, a body wearable device, a mobile phone device or a system constituted by any combination thereof. It should be understood that the social network system shown in FIG. 2 is only for the purpose of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of the communication method of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the integrated email and IM may be opened through a hyperlink. For example, an IM session, preferably in the form of a chat window, may be opened in an email interface, and an email may also be opened through the IM chat window, where the email interface and the IM chat window are presented or overlapped in the same user interface, thereby implementing email and IM functions simultaneously and conveniently.

As described below, in one embodiment, the IM chat window can be opened from the email interface.

For example, an IM chat session can be started from the “receiver” field on an email message writing interface, where the names/addresses in the receiver field have indications that indicate receivers' user status of the social network, and the indicated user receiver names have hyperlinks that open IM chat sessions with those receivers, the opened chat sessions are preferably displayed in a window form, and the chat windows overlap, preferably float on top of, the email message writing interface. For multiple recipients of a message, individual IM sessions may be opened simultaneously or intermittently for multiple one-to-one chatting, alternatively, session(s) of multiple participants may be opened for group chat(s). Where preferred, part of or all contents of the present email message may be transferred into the IM chat session, either manually by the user, which is rather convenient, or automatically upon opening the chat session. In addition, other recipients of the email message or other users of the social network can be added to the chat sessions, forming one or more group chat(s) sharing the information related to the email message.

Likewise, an IM chat session can be started from the “sender” field on an email message reading interface, where the name/address has an indication that indicates sender's user status of the social network, and the indicated name has an hyperlink that opens IM session with the user sender, and the opened session is again displayed in a form, preferably a window, that overlaps, preferably floats on top of, the email reading interface. Again, other users of the social network can be added to the chat session(s) sharing the information related to the email message.

If an IM session started from an email message, either a reading or writing interface, is opened in a window that overlaps the email interface, the email interface can be functionally reached by clicking or touching a portion of the interface. If it is opened in an IM interface exclusive of the email writing or reading interface, then the email interface can be functionally reached by clicking or touching an ‘email’ indicator or symbol or a ‘back’ button on the IM interface.

For those IM sessions started from inside email messages, either reading or writing interfaces, contents of the IM sessions can be saved in association with their corresponding email messages in the email directory, whereas users retrieve such contents through the email messages, and they are deleted upon deletion of their corresponding email messages.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, and particularly in FIG. 3, the communication method of opening an IM chat window from an email interface according to an embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the steps defined by the method are performed in the electronic device 10 and implemented by the processor 12, which are elaborated below in details.

Step S21: Obtain an email opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page.

For example, User A sends an email opening instruction to a social network platform through a mouse or in a point touch manner on a first client, and after obtaining the email opening instruction, the social network platform displays a corresponding email on a screen of the first client in the form of a page. In addition, when User A wants to write an email to User B, the social network platform displays an email writing interface on the first client, as shown in FIG. 4.

Step S22: Obtain an IM opening instruction sent by the client, generate, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window, and display the IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.

For example, when writing an email to User B, User A wants to make some simple communication and exchange with User B. In this case, User A may click or touch, at an addressee field in an email interface, a name or an address, and open an IM chat window with User B by clicking an IM indicator such as “Send Message”, as shown in FIG. 4.

It should be understood that related information, such as identification information and communication information corresponding to the identification information, of User A and User B are stored in an information database of the social network. Only when User A and User B are on the social network simultaneously, a hyperlink to an email and an IM chat window corresponding to the two users is established.

In one embodiment, when User A writes an email to User B, User A may send or copy the email to other users, and may also open an IM chat window with other users in the foregoing manner. When User A opens the IM chat window with other users, the names of the other users will be input into addressee or copy recipient fields of the email by the social network platform.

If related information of a user is not stored in the information database of the social network, when users in the information database of the social network perform email exchanges with this user, the IM chat window cannot be opened.

When a corresponding IM chat window is popped up according to an IM opening instruction, the social network platform may parse the IM opening instruction sent by User A to obtain identification information of at least one contact in the email included in the IM opening instruction. The identification information may be understood as identifying whether the at least one contact is “located” in the information database of the social network. The social network platform finds the identification information in the information database of the social network, obtains communication information corresponding to the at least one contact through the identification information, generates, according to the communication information, at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and displays the at least one IM chat window in an email interface.

Further, each IM session can be either one-to-one or a group chat. If there is one IM chat window, the IM chat window is floated at the bottom of the email interface. If there are multiple IM chat windows, the IM chat windows opened ahead may be arranged on the left side of the bottom of the email interface.

In one embodiment, when the IM chat window of User A and User B is displayed on the email interface of the first client, some or all of the contents in the email may be automatically or manually transmitted into the IM chat window.

In one embodiment, User A may perform settings in advance, and when the IM chat window is opened, all or some of the contents in the email are automatically transmitted into the IM chat window. In another embodiment, User A may manually transmit the contents when opening the IM chat window.

The processes are illustrated, based on the social network platform as an executive body, as follows.

The social network platform obtains a specified content of a sending instruction sent by the first client, finds a specified content from the email according to the sending instruction, and sends the specified content into the IM chat window. In such a way, different users can conveniently interact through emails and IM chat windows.

In certain embodiments, an IM chatting involves communication for intermittently sending a message in the form of texts, voices, pictures, videos, expressions, files, hyperlinks, GPS addresses and/or any combination thereof, and they may also directly initiate, on the Internet, an audio call like a call or a video call with a video or without a video. The email content involves transmission files, pictures, audio clips, videos, expressions, hyperlinks, GPS addresses and/or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the social network platform also provides functions of associative storage and/or joint deletion (i.e., co-deletion). For example, when the IM chat window of User A and User B is started in the email interface of the first client, the social network platform may associate the chatting content of the IM chat window with the content in the email, and after being associated, the contents may be jointly retrieved, stored or deleted.

According to the foregoing embodiment of the invention, a user can conveniently initiates an IM chatting with other users when he/she reads or writes an email message from an email interface (page).

In another embodiment, an email can be opened from the IM chat window. For example, email writing can be started from inside an instant messaging session where a participant's name(s) is set to have clickable or touchable hyperlink to open or reach an email writing session with said participant's name(s) being entered in the email recipient field. The newly opened email interface can overlap or be side by side with that of its original IM session, and user can get back to the original IM session, or another open IM session if exists and has an interface on the same screen, by clicking or touching anywhere of the IM session interface. In cases that the newly opened email interface is not on the same screen with the IM interface, user can get back to the original IM session by clicking or touching an ‘IM’ indicator or symbol or a “back” button on the email interface.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, and particularly in FIG. 5, the communication method of opening an email from an IM chat window is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the steps defined by the method are performed in the electronic device 10 and implemented by the processor 12, which are elaborated below in details.

Step S31: Obtain an IM opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window on the client.

For example, User A clicks User B in a contact list to pop up an IM chat window corresponding to User B. The IM chat window may be a large window, or a small window.

Step S32: Obtain an email opening instruction sent by the client, display, according to the email opening instruction, an email corresponding to the contact in the IM chat window on the client in the form of a page, and move the IM chat window to the bottom of the page.

For example, User A may click or touch, in an IM chatting window (session) with User B, to open or reach a hyperlink of an email writing interface, as shown in FIG. 6. When User A clicks or touches to open the hyperlink, the email writing page (interface) pops up on the screen of the first client. Meanwhile, the IM chat window moves to the bottom of the page. In one embodiment, the IM chat window is floated on the page in the form of a small window, and the name of User B is automatically input into an addressee field of the email. In another embodiment, the IM chat window is floated on the page in the form of a large window, as shown in FIG. 6.

Through the foregoing methods, not only can the IM chat window be opened from the email interface, but also can the email be opened from the IM chat window, thereby achieving hyperlink integration thereof, and improving the convenience of use.

In some embodiments, the IM chat window is opened in an overlapping window and floated over an email interface, and by clicking or touching a part of the page, it is functionally achieved that a current page is the email interface.

In some embodiments, User A may also be an addressee. For example, User A receives an email sent by User B, User A opens an email interface and wants to instantly communicate with User B about the content in the email, and then User A may open an IM chat window of User B by clicking or point-touching an addresser field, thereby avoiding searching for User B from a contact list.

In some embodiments, the function of opening an email interface from an IM chat window is similar to the function of opening an IM chat window from an email interface, and therefore no more descriptions are made herein.

In each embodiment and its variations of the invention, the IM sessions (chat windows) refer to communications that involve intermittently transmitted messages in forms of words, voices, pictures, videos, icons, files, hyperlinks, GPS addresses and/or any combinations thereof, and they may also be direct voice conversations with or without video, like telephone or video phone conversation but on the internet.

In each embodiment and its variations of the invention, the integrated email and IM interface can be on any internet or communication device including, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, a portable computer, a pad device, a hand-hold mobile device, a body-wearable device, or a cell phone device. Email sender and recipients as well as IM participants can be on different devices, which are processed to synchronize current contents of email and IM messages.

With such integrations of email and IM on a same user interface, users of a social network are able to communicate on topics and easily convey or gather the core information apart from the rest with personally pin-pointed, mutually discussable clarity. In this system, emails function better delivering formality and completeness of the information body while IM sessions provide quick and direct communications exchanging, clarifying, discussing key points and ideas.

On the basis of the foregoing, a communication apparatus 20 is shown in FIG. 7 according to one embodiment of the invention. The communication apparatus 20 includes an email acquiring and displaying module 21, an IM acquiring and displaying module 22, a mail content sending module 23, and an associative storage module 24.

The email acquiring and displaying module 21 is configured to obtain an email opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page.

The IM acquiring and displaying module 22 is configured to obtain an IM opening instruction sent by the client, the IM opening instruction including identification information of at least one contact in the email; and search for the identification information in a preset information database of the social network, if the identification information is found, determine that the at least one contact is in the information database of the social network, generate at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and display the at least one IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.

The mail content sending module 23 is configured to send, when the at least one IM chat window is displayed in the email interface displayed on the client, contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window.

The associative storage module 24 is configured to obtain a chatting content in the at least one IM chat window, and associatively store the chatting content and the email.

Because of the similarity between an implementation principle of steps shown in FIG. 3 and functions of the communication apparatus 20 including the email acquiring and displaying module 21, the IM acquiring and displaying module 22, the mail content sending module 23 and the associative storage module 24, detailed descriptions of the communication apparatus 20 including the email acquiring and displaying module 21, the IM acquiring and displaying module 22, the mail content sending module 23 and the associative storage module 24 are not repeated herein.

Referring to FIG. 8 now, the communication apparatus 20 is shown according to another embodiment of the invention, which includes a first acquiring and displaying module 31 and a second acquiring and displaying module 32.

The first acquiring and displaying module 31 is configured to obtain an IM opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window on the client.

The second acquiring and displaying module 32 is configured to obtain an email opening instruction sent by the client, display, according to the email opening instruction, an email corresponding to a contact in the IM chat window on the client in the form of a page, and move the IM chat window to the bottom of the page.

Because of the similarity between an implementation principle of steps shown in FIG. 5 and functions of the communication apparatus 20 including the first acquiring and displaying module 31 and the second acquiring and displaying module 32, detailed descriptions of the communication apparatus 20 including the first acquiring and displaying module 31 and the second acquiring and displaying module 32are not repeated herein.

According to the disclosure, the embodiments of the invention provide a communication method and apparatus, and an electronic device, capable of integrating an email and an IM to make them integrated in the same user interface, thereby improving the convenience of use.

In one embodiment, when the IM chat window is opened in an email interface, the content of the email can be sent to the IM chat window, thereby improving the convenience of messaging and communication.

In one embodiment, by associatively storing a chatting content in the IM chat window and the corresponding email, the convenience of information processing can be improved.

It should be appreciated that the disclosed apparatus and method may also be implemented in other manners. The embodiments of the apparatus and method described above are only illustrative, but are not intended to limit the invention. For example, the flowcharts and the block diagrams in the drawings display architectures, functions and operations that are possibly implemented according to the apparatus, the method and the computer program product in multiple embodiments of the invention. In this aspect, each box in the flowchart or the block diagram may represent a module, a program segment or part of a code, the module, the program segment or part of the code including one or more executable instructions for implementing specified logical functions. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementation manners, the functions labeled in the box may also occur in a sequence different from the sequence labeled in the drawings. For example, two successive boxes may be basically concurrently executed in fact, or may be executed in a reverse sequence sometimes, which depends on the involved functions. It should also be noted that each box in the block diagram and/or flowchart and a combination of boxes in the block diagram and/or flowchart may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system for executing specified functions or actions, or may be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and a computer instruction.

In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of the invention may be integrated together to form an independent part, or each of the modules may exist alone, or two or more than two modules may be integrated to form an independent part.

When being implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, the function may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the essence of the technical solutions of the invention or parts making contributions to the existing technology may be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a plurality of instructions used to enable a computer device (which may be a personal computer, the electronic device 10, a network device or the like) to perform all or some of the steps of the method in each embodiment of the invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disc.

The foregoing descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For a person skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication method, operably applied to a server capable of managing an email and realizing instant messaging (IM), comprising: obtaining an email opening instruction sent by a client, and displaying, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page; and obtaining an IM opening instruction sent by the client, the IM opening instruction comprising identification information of at least one contact in the email; and searching for the identification information in a preset information database of the server, if the identification information is found, obtaining communication information corresponding to the at least one contact according to the identification information, generating, according to the communication information, at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and displaying the at least one IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.
 2. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the at least one IM chat window is displayed in the email interface displayed on the client, sending contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window for display.
 3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein the step of sending the contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window comprises: obtaining a specified content of a sending instruction sent by the client; finding a specified content from the email according to the specified content of the sending instruction; and sending the specified content into the at least one IM chat window for display.
 4. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a chatting content in the at least one IM chat window; and associatively storing the chatting content and the email in the server.
 5. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the at least one IM chat window in the email interface displayed on the client comprises: if there is one IM chat window, floating the IM chat window at a bottom of the email interface; and if there are multiple IM chat windows, floating the various IM chat windows at the bottom of the email interface in a time sequence of opening.
 6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instruction codes which, when executed by one or more processors, control an electronic device to perform the communication method of claim
 1. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: when the at least one IM chat window is displayed in the email interface displayed on the client, sending contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window for display.
 8. The on-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining a chatting content in the at least one IM chat window; and associatively storing the chatting content and the email in the server.
 9. A communication method, operably applied to a server capable of managing an email and realizing instant messaging (IM), comprising: obtaining an IM opening instruction sent by a client, and displaying, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window on the client; and obtaining an email opening instruction sent by the client, displaying, according to the email opening instruction, an email corresponding to a contact in the IM chat window on the client in the form of a page, and moving the IM chat window to a bottom of the page.
 10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instruction codes which, when executed by one or more processors, control an electronic device to perform the communication method of claim
 7. 11. A communication apparatus, operably applied to a server capable of managing an email and instant messaging (IM), comprising: an email acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an email opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the email opening instruction, a corresponding email on the client in the form of a page; and an IM acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an IM opening instruction sent by the client, the IM opening instruction comprising identification information of at least one contact in the email; and search for the identification information in a preset information database of the server, if the identification information is found, obtain communication information corresponding to the at least one contact according to the identification information, generate, according to the communication information, at least one IM chat window corresponding to the at least one contact, and display the at least one IM chat window in an email interface displayed on the client.
 12. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a mail content sending module, configured to send, when the at least one IM chat window is displayed in the email interface displayed on the client, contents in the email into the at least one IM chat window for display; and an associative storage module, configured to obtain a chatting content in the at least one IM chat window, and associatively store the chatting content and the email in the server.
 13. A communication apparatus, operably applied to a server capable of managing an email and realizing instant messaging (IM), comprising: a first acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an IM opening instruction sent by a client, and display, according to the IM opening instruction, a corresponding IM chat window on the client; and a second acquiring and displaying module, configured to obtain an email opening instruction sent by the client, display, according to the email opening instruction, an email corresponding to a contact in the IM chat window on the client in the form of a page, and move the IM chat window to the bottom of the page.
 14. An electronic device for integrated email and instant messaging (IM) communications, comprising: at least one memory, at least one processor, a network module, and a communication apparatus, wherein the communication apparatus is stored in the at least one memory; and wherein the at least one memory, the at least one processor and the network module are electrically coupled to each other directly or indirectly, so as to implement data transmission or interaction for the integrated email and IM communications.
 15. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the network module is configured to establish a communication connection between the electronic device and other communication terminal devices via a network, so as to realize transmitting and receiving operations for network signals and data.
 16. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one memory comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction codes, wherein the instruction codes, when executed by the at least one processor, control the electronic device to perform the integrated email and IM communications. 